Receive your master's degree in counseling from a part-time program that offers all the benefits of a full-time experience.

In Drake University's Master of Science in Counseling program, you'll interact with and learn from expert faculty who are committed to excellence in research and teaching and service to the profession. In addition to coursework and professional experiences, you can bolster your resume through participation in research projects overseen by Drake faculty, publication of research, or by attendance at state and national conferences.

The program is designed for working adults. Classes are held on Drake's campus on evenings and weekends, so you can continue to work full time while you complete your degree.

Program Options

The Master of Science in Counseling offers three specializations.  All students complete a core set of classes. You will also select one or more of the specializations to complete, depending on your educational and career goals.

The three specializations are:

Licensure and Certification

All Master of Science in Counseling specializations meet the licensing and certification requirements for Iowa:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: prepares students to seek licensure as a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa
• Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling: since the rehabilitation counseling program is nationally recognized, reciprocity is easy to achieve; courses ready students for national certification
• School Counseling: prepares students to become professional school counselors in Iowa's elementary or secondary schools

While many graduates remain in Iowa after graduation, graduates do seek employment in other states and countries. If you wish to practice mental health or school counseling outside of Iowa upon graduation, contact the American Counseling Association or the American School Counseling Association, respectively, to learn about academic requirements in a specific state of interest.

Accreditation

Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).